By: Haruna Kuyateh
National Nutrition Agency (NaNA) in collaboration with the Regional Health Directorate, Essau recently embarked on monitoring step-down training for 96 Village Support Groups (VSGs).
The training was funded by UNICEF while the training brought together 96 VSGs drawn from 12 communities within three catchment areas namely Nuimi Lamen, Samba Kala of Lower Nuimi, and Munyagen of Jokadou in the north bank region.
Baby Friendly Community Initiative (BFCI) is a comprehensive health and nutrition package conceptualized to promote, protect and support successful infant and young child feeding (IYCF), nutrition, environment and personal hygiene, growth monitoring, and promotion.
BFCI was launched in 1993 to protect, promote and support breastfeeding especially exclusive breastfeeding for 6 months and continued breastfeeding for up to 2 years.
The program aimed at increasing access to preventative and promotional intervention for children and mothers including emergency obstetric care, immunization, appropriate treatment for diarrhea and common childhood diseases, family planning, use of mosquito nets, hygiene practice, water and sanitation.
Modoulamin Fofana, Regional Health Director for Essau Health Region underscored the significant contribution of NaNA and UNICEF in promoting maternal health and nutrition development of women and children.
He noted that the retraining of Village Support Groups is crucial to reinforce interpersonal communication between societies to bring positive social behavioral change in strengthening maternal health.
Director Fofana expressed satisfaction with numerous achievements in health care services at Essau Health Directorate, citing a supportive and quality assessment score of 90%, expanding laboratory services at Fass Njaga Choi, Nemakunku, and Kuntair Health Facilities.
He said the government constructed a minor health center at Kisimajaw in Jokadou adding that, the additional health facility would respond to the health needs of the population.
He attested that maternal mortality has declined significantly in the past 5 years, in 2022, he continued that the region registered 1 case of maternal mortality.
Alieu Kujabi, the Programme Manager at NaNA hailed the efforts of VSG in complementing the Ministry of Health and NaNA for promoting the health of young, infants and enhancing growth and development at tender age.
He went on to laud the effort of UNICEF for their support in promoting, protecting, and welfare of children.
Fabakary Bass, Nutrition Field Coordinator at NaNA said the step-down training aimed to strengthen capacity gaps and enhance networking and communication among VSGs and Village Health Service (VHS). VSG is seen as an entry point for all health-related interventions in Primary Health Care PHC communities and is a recognized institution.
The coordinator said BFCI reduced the prevalence of malnutrition in the population and thereby reduced infant and young child mortality while describing nutrition as a foundation building block.
BintaJammeh and Dembo Saho of Nuimi Lamen and Musukebba Camara of Aljamdou VSG said the capacity development would contribute to the strengthening of exclusive breastfeeding and preparation of complementary food.
Alieu Cham of Samba Kala described men’s involvement in reproductive health and exclusive breastfeeding as important in promoting child health and nutritional development.